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GARDAI are investigating after an Irish pervert exchanged messages with a security guard convicted of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder telly star Holly Willoughby.

Gavin Plumb, who sobbed in a UK court on Thursday as a jury found him guilty of his depraved crimes, tried to recruit Dubliner Mark Mulligan as the pair of sickos fantasised over kidnapping ex This Morning presenter Holly.

Sicko Mark Mulligan was exchanging messages with Gavin Plumb
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Sicko Mark Mulligan was exchanging messages with Gavin Plumb
Plumb was convicted of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder telly star Holly Willoughby
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Plumb was convicted of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder telly star Holly WilloughbyCredit: 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
Plumb became obsessed with TV star Holly Willoughby
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Plumb became obsessed with TV star Holly WilloughbyCredit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Fiend Plumb told his trial that he was forging a “real friendship” with fellow sicko Mulligan on the Kik messaging app - previously used by Sligo homophobic double killer Yousef Palani in 2022 - over thousands of interactions.

Sources today confirmed that Mulligan is now being investigated over the matter.

An alert was sent to detectives here from authorities in the UK and Interpol.

Garda headquarters were contacted for comment and a spokesman said: “An Garda Siochana does not comment on named individuals or confirm the identity of persons who may or may not be under investigation.

“An Garda Siochana has commenced a criminal investigation following information received from a UK Police Force through INTERPOL.

“As this is an ongoing investigation An Garda Siochana is not confirming any further details.”

As part of the investigation, gardai are expected to examine the horror messages exchanged.

The twisted alliance saw Plumb telling Mulligan they would need to find a remote location to keep Willoughby once they abducted her.

Sicko Mulligan replied: “Definitely in the middle of nowhere, so no one can hear her scream."

He added: “Celebrities, they think they’re full of themselves, they need to be f***ing put into place.”

Moment topless Holly 'kidnap plotter' is arrested over plan to 'rape star'

Mulligan kept interactions up with Plumb from 2021 until June 2023, when he is said to have pulled out of the plot.

Mulligan is a convicted serial stalker who fantasised about raping TV stars and their children.

In 2014, he was jailed after being convicted of harassing a woman whose son he threatened to rape.

Mulligan, of Clongriffin, Dublin, was caged for three-and-a-half years, with a year suspended, for harassing the woman and possessing indecent material involving kids.

Rape and murder fantasies

Judge Patricia Ryan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the pervert made sexually explicit references to RTE and TV3 reporters and “celebrities” and their children in chats with creeps on Skype.

Mulligan told gardai loneliness made him fantasise about rape and murder.

In an online chat with another weirdo, Mulligan said he would “love to rape” the three-year-old son of a woman he knew because she “pissed him off”.

When the other man said: “Let’s snatch him,” Mulligan replied: “Mmm make him watch us kill his Mum and Dad and then kill him.”

HOLLY BREAKS SILENCE AFTER CONVICTION

HOLLY, 43, who bravely waived her anonymity so that she could be named in court, opened up about the ordeal yesterday.

The ITV star said: "As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.

"I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.

"Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.

"I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time.

"Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible."

The perv also donned He-Man outfit to woo women in pictures he proudly posted pictures of himself in costume on a dating website.

In his online dating profile, warped Mulligan claims he is a “genuinely good person” and says: “I’m walking again as I want to lose a few pounds, I like to go to abandoned buildings and take photos.”

Obese Plumb, 37, was convicted this week following an eight-day trial in which a jury rejected his claim that his plan to break into 43-year-old Holly’s home and stupefy her and TV producer husband Dan Baldwin was merely a fantasy.

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Plumb, of Harlow, Essex, had previous convictions for attempting to kidnap two air stewardesses and the false imprisonment of two 16-year-old girls.

He will be sentenced on July 12 at Chelmsford crown court, where he faces up to life in jail.

Mulligan proudly posted pictures of himself in costume on a dating website
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Mulligan proudly posted pictures of himself in costume on a dating website
Plumb sobbed as a jury found him guilty of his depraved crimes
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Plumb sobbed as a jury found him guilty of his depraved crimes
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